Sports
Ohio draws with Kent State after last minute goal denied
By: Andrew Woods
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB)– The last time the Ohio Bobcats (6-1-4, 1-0-3 MAC) and Kent State Golden Flashes (5-3-2, 2-1-1 MAC) played, the Bobcats won the MAC Championship. This time, they battled to a 0-0 draw.
Ohio controlled the game early, firing off five total shots within the first ten minutes. This included a shot on goal by Scout Murray. The Bobcats defense kept Kent State under control throughout the first half, not allowing a single shot on goal.
Ohio got another chance midway through the first half. The Bobcats had two corner kicks and three shots, including a Scout Murray shot on goal, but could not find the back of the net. Murray led Ohio with three shots, including two shots on goal.
In the 33rd minute, Kent State began pressuring the Bobcats, getting two corner kicks. However, a missed shot and an offside ended the Golden Flashes’ chances for that half.
That meant it was Ohio’s chance to score, but two corner kicks and a shot later, the half ended scoreless.
As the second half began, Kent State would have their best chances of the game. Alisa Arthur and Addy Cussick both fired shots in rapid succession. However, Celeste Sloma saved both of what turned out to be Kent State’s only shots on goal. Sloma saved two shots and secured her third straight shutout and seventh this season.
The Bobcats continued to dominate possession and the chances, outshooting Kent State 18-7. This included a 65th minute shot by Aubrey Rea, that was saved by Heidi Marshall. Marshall made four saves to secure Kent State’s fourth shutout this year.
In the 80th minute, Ohio got a corner kick and Aubrey Rea nearly took advantage, firing a shot on goal. The Bobcats had another chance, but an offside was called.
With less than one minute to go, the Bobcats had one final chance. Anna Burchett fired a cross, and Rylee Mensel fired it in after the ball rebounded. However, offside was called, and what would have been the winning goal did not count.
After the game, head coach Aaron Rodgers said that he “wanted to win”, but was confident that the Bobcats would turn those draws into wins down the stretch, saying “we’ll figure it out.”
“I think we didn’t give up, but at the end of the day, we’re gonna keep going,” Murray said.
Ohio, who is on an eight-game unbeaten run, will play next Sunday at Akron.